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Here's another "quickie" that helps pay the bills. I call it the "whatever" dish - spoon rest, powder room soap dish, ring rest, what ever.I cut a couple dozen per slab, with a 4" cookie cutter, form them on plaster hump molds. Wholesale for $60/dozen.

I looked at a used 208V kiln recently, and was told (by my ceramics supplier) that the only difference between 208 and 240 is the elements themselves. If the price is right, new elements can make it a 240V kiln.
Note: This NOT the case with 3 phase.

Here's another "quickie" that helps pay the bills. I call it the "whatever" dish - spoon rest, powder room soap dish, ring rest, what ever.I cut a couple dozen per slab, with a 4" cookie cutter, form them on plaster hump molds. Wholesale for $60/dozen.

"In reality, the higher end chain stores are selling low fired, decorated wares with zero qualms. I see glazed terra cotta wares for sale. I see sets of dishes with crackled glaze in my local department store. It seems impossibly confusing to me. "
Good point, Chris!
And we also have to worry about lightning, and sharks, and alien abduction. (also, the Mad Cows are baaaack!)

I had to read a bunch of replies, before I even had a clue what y'all are talking about! I never noticed those buttons in the lower right corner.
-And I am only posting this comment, so I can look at my buttons. (This is a good spot for an "emoticon", only I consider them crutches for the illiterate, and never use them. Will that earn me a red mark?)

All good advice, above. Remember: A kiln is a very simple device. Just a container for wires (elements) that get hot when electricity is supplied- by switches or a computer. No bearings, motors, or moving parts. As Lucille says, "have fun!"

Some 'Newbies' may not know the trick of holding a mirror above the top peephole. If it fogs, there is still moisture coming out!
As to "rules" of when to open, etc, there are too many clay/glaze variables for a one size fits all answer. Better to be so busy with other tasks that you forget to open the kiln until tomorrow! Note: this is NOT a rule- with a show to pack for you can usually open the kiln, unload with oven mitts and pack for the show as soon as the ware doesn't melt the bubble wrap.

Lots of potters run their kilns "inside their house"- including schools! Kiln fires are rare to non existent. The danger of fire is in the wiring/breaker box, and is due to faulty/overloaded equipment. If you are tripping circuit breakers in the "heat of the day" it is because you do not have a high enough amperage main. 200 amps is standard in most residential construction.<div>The best place for a kiln is as close to the main breaker box as possible, and outside, but under cover. A kiln is just a tool, and a simple one, at that.</div>

Lots of potters run their kilns "inside their house"- including schools! Kiln fires are rare to non existent. The danger of fire is in the wiring/breaker box, and is due to faulty/overloaded equipment. If you are tripping circuit breakers in the "heat of the day" it is because you do not have a high enough amperage main. 200 amps is standard in most residential construction.<div>The best place for a kiln is as close to the main breaker box as possible, and outside, but under cover. A kiln is just a tool, and a simple one, at that.</div>

I had to read a bunch of replies, before I even had a clue what y'all are talking about! I never noticed those buttons in the lower right corner.
-And I am only posting this comment, so I can look at my buttons. (This is a good spot for an "emoticon", only I consider them crutches for the illiterate, and never use them. Will that earn me a red mark?)

My Bailey DRD slab roller has small casters on two legs. I haven't moved it in 10 years, but I can- and it is rock solid.<div>I suggest several smaller tables- with those casters. Pallets are built of oak, and are free. A few 4'x4' tables can be used alone, or put under a 4'x8' sheet of plywood for really big projects. Use bolts, not nails or screws.

For the table top, cover it with something both removable and washable: Oil cloth, or a "retired" canvas from the lab roller. You can wedge on it, and clay won't stick. Take it outdoors and beat it/wash it.